Fungus.Anyone who has ever encountered it is unlikely to remember the children’s sandbox when they hear this word.A picture immediately comes to mind: terrible crumbling nails, the inability to walk in open shoes in the summer, an unpleasant smell... I could list them for a long time, but it’s pointless.Let's better discuss how to cure toenail fungus.
First, make sure that this is exactly the disease.To do this, you will have to go to the doctor so that he can take a scraping for analysis.People often mistake the slightest change in nail color for a fungal infection.But there can be many reasons for this, ranging from tight shoes to a banal injury.
Sometimes particularly impressionable comrades in their desire to get rid of pseudo-fungus reach the point of absurdity.And then you have to restore what is left of the nails after such unfortunate doctors.
General questions
Most people who get toenail fungus for the first time get scared and take drastic measures, including complete removal of the affected nail.We believe that this is premature and unjustified.Why run to the surgeon if the fungus has just started and the nail bed is not affected?To become incapacitated for several weeks?After all, walking will be almost impossible due to pain.
The nail removal procedure cannot be done on your own.It should be prescribed by a doctor and only under strict indications.In other cases, it is quite possible to cope with the disease at home.
Another warning: from the very beginning of treatment, it will be necessary to disinfect daily:
- shoes, indoor and outdoor
- socks, stockings, tights
- foot towels
- bed sheets
- home pedicure tools
Some people do not have the opportunity to disinfect their bed every day.In this case, you can cover half of the bed with old, unnecessary fabric to disinfect it.This is a more doable option than boiling all the laundry.
The next rule is persistence.Toenail fungus is not a cold; it won’t go away in a week.It will have to be destroyed long and systematically.Preferably without interruptions.Of course, if a course of treatment is planned, then it is necessary to make omissions.In all other cases, regularity should come first.Otherwise, some will apply the oil on their nails for 3 days, and then tell people on every corner that “it doesn’t help them, it’s all a lie.”
We recommend steaming your feet as often as possible and, if possible, filing off the damaged part of the nail.This will make it easier for any product to penetrate the plate and under the skin to destroy pathogenic spores.
By the way, don’t forget: although the fungus is the same, people are all different.Therefore, some manage to cope with the problem in 3 months, others take years to remove the infection, and it returns again after some time.
And fungal spores very quickly get used to various aggressive agents.In this case, mycologists recommend changing the medicine every 3 weeks so that the fungus does not have time to adapt.This will make the healing process faster.
Advice.Always, before trying ointment, lotion, tincture, drops on the affected nails, first try the drug on the inside of the elbow.If after a day the allergy is not visible, then feel free to start treatment.If you neglect this procedure, then there is a high risk of making it even worse instead of recovery.You can be left completely without nails.
Traditional methods
We will not specifically list the names of medications here.Why?Because:
- All of them can only be prescribed by a qualified dermatologist, but not “the neighbor drank and applied it, it helped her.”
- This is not a promotional article.
- The price range for mycological drugs is quite large.And if the drug doesn’t help you, then we don’t want to hear curses directed at us.
Let's take a better look at the most common "grandmother's" methods.Just don’t rush to chuckle ironically.There are many recipes, surely some will help.Well, it certainly won't do any harm.Moreover, according to reviews, these products cope with toenail fungus in some cases much more effectively than pharmaceutical drugs.
Vinegar
There are a great many recipes based on it.By the way, very effective.Because the fungus does not tolerate an acidic environment at all.Let's tell you the most effective way:
- Place 1 chicken egg in a glass glass (factory-made or home-made, it doesn’t matter).
- So much 70% acetic acid is poured on top so that it completely covers the contents.
- Cover with paper or a lid and leave in a cool, dark place for 7-8 days.
- After this time, carefully remove the remaining film from the egg using a wooden spoon.
- Add about a teaspoon of good butter and grind thoroughly until smooth.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container.Not metal!
How to use.Everything is very easy.You should steam your nails in salted water twice a day, then file them down as much as possible.Apply a small amount of ointment on top and cover with a cotton pad or a piece of bandage.To ensure secure fastening, you can use a fingertip during the day or cling film at night.
You need to keep this compress for at least 20 minutes.Then everything is washed off with clean warm water without soap, and they go about their business.
By the way, the well-known kombucha has a similar effect.It contains a large number of acidic bacteria, which perfectly get rid of fungus.It is enough to tie a small piece of mushroom to the nail plate overnight.It is advisable to wear a fingertip so that the compress does not dry out longer.
Important!The smell of vinegar will haunt you for some time.You will have to be patient or start treatment while on vacation.
Oils
Many people are aware of the antibacterial properties of some essential oils.In particular, these are:
- lavender
- eucalyptus
- tea tree
Popular wisdom suggests using them in the treatment of toenail fungus.By the way, quite successfully.There are 2 application options:
- Hot, clean water (+48-52°C) is poured into the foot bath.Add 21 drops of your chosen oil.Nails are steamed for 38-40 minutes.Then do not rinse, but immediately wipe dry.
- After a regular salt bath, the essential oil is applied undiluted.You can simply drip from a pipette directly onto the damaged nail.
And don't be afraid of greasy stains.High-quality oils do not leave them.But there is always a pleasant aroma.
Important!Be sure to test for an allergic reaction.Essential oils are highly concentrated and sometimes suffer from this.
Celandine
A plant known for its orange juice.It has been used for centuries to treat warts.The principle of use for getting rid of toenail fungus is similar.Gently lubricate the damaged areas with the juice of a freshly picked stem.Morning and evening.
There is one downside to this method: fresh juice is only available in the summer.But the treatment procedure cannot be stopped.What to do?Buy celandine oil at the pharmacy.It is applied according to the principle described above, 2 times a day.Soon a new healthy nail will be noticeable and will gradually grow.At this time, it is advisable to file down the old patient as much as possible (not to the point of pain).
Important!Use celandine juice with caution, it contains toxic substances.
Garlic and onion
Let’s be honest, at first this method did not inspire confidence in us.But numerous reviews are full of positive emotions, so here is this simple recipe:
- Chop onion or garlic into a paste.
- Carefully apply a small amount of the mixture onto the steamed nail.
- Cover the top with film or polyethylene.
This bandage should be done at night.Because during the day it can slide down when walking and cause severe inconvenience.Plus, the most powerful amber will turn all your friends and acquaintances away from you.
Important!Be sure to lubricate the skin around the nail with a rich cream.The juice of these plants causes severe burns upon prolonged contact with the skin.
Soda
Yes, yes, simple baking soda.No, you should not sprinkle it directly on the nail.It won't do any good.You just need to steam your nails in a soda bath twice a day.Plus periodically cut off as much of the damaged layer as possible.
The disadvantage of this procedure is that it works very slowly.That is, you will have to splash your feet in a hot bath for at least 3 months in a row.But it turns out cheap and effective.You only need hot water - 1 liter and baking soda - 1 tbsp.l.The duration of the procedure is at least 30 minutes at a time.
Iodine
The method, like the one described above, works quite slowly.Sometimes you have to use it for 8-9 months in a row.But it is accessible to absolutely any category of people, because it costs mere pennies.Using iodine is very simple.You just need to lubricate clean, dry nails with it every morning.
Naturally, this method is not suitable for the summer, because the nail plates will be a beautiful orange-brown color.Although, if you have a fungus, then you are unlikely to wear open shoes.
Important!Apply iodine very carefully, trying not to get it on the periungual fold.The drug causes a chemical burn to the skin.
Other methods
Maybe some people will find them strange.But what's stopping you from trying them out for yourself?In the end, you have nothing to lose.And the result may be surprising.
- Washing powder.It is recommended to steam your feet once a day in the following composition: 100 g of detergent per 1 liter of water.Repeat for 10 days, then break for 3 days.And so on until complete recovery.
- Ammonia.Add 15 ml of ammonia to 200 ml of ordinary water (can be measured with a syringe).A piece of cloth or cotton wool is soaked in the resulting mixture and then applied to the infected nail.Place polyethylene or a finger cap on top.The procedure is carried out once a day, the compress is left for 45 minutes.
- Coffee.You need to brew strong natural coffee.Cool slightly until the skin can tolerate it.Without diluting with water, steam your nails in the broth once a day.Repeat daily until complete recovery.
- Fresh horseradish.It is grated or passed through a meat grinder.The resulting pulp is stored in the refrigerator.After each cutting or filing of an infected nail, a little grated horseradish is placed directly on the plate.Cover the top with a compress and leave overnight.According to rumors, the method helps cure the fungus in record time.By the way, the roots can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for use in the winter.
Advice.When using some methods, the nail plate may ache slightly.This is within normal limits.If the pain becomes severe, stop treatment immediately.This means the method is not suitable for you.Choose another medicine.
How to cure toenail fungus?Only methodically and for a long time.This disease does not disappear overnight.It’s better to contact specialists.